Summit lax tourney back for 24th year

August 4, 2013

LAKE PLACID - An event that started with seven teams 24 years ago in Lake Placid has evolved into the premiere lacrosse event in the nation as the annual Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament prepares for its next edition, August 5-11.

Contests will be held in boys and girls scholastic divisions, men's and women's open divisions, and men's masters, grand masters and super grand masters.

More than 500 lacrosse games are planned on 12 fields, located behind the North Elba Recycling Center and Transfer Station.

Article Photos

Members of the ’Dacks Lax team gather last year prior to one of their games during the Summit Lacrosse Tournament at the North Elba Show Grounds facility in Lake Placid. ’Dacks Lax will field a team in the men’s open 2 division this year.Lou Reuter/Lake Placid News

With approximately 4,000 players and 1.5 additional visitors per player, an estimated 9,500 guests will create significant economic impact in Lake Placid over the seven days of the event.

Two years ago with less in attendance, the Lake Placid Visitors Bureau and Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism estimated direct spending from the tournament at $3.6 million.

Teams are coming to Lake Placid from New York, New England, the mid-Atlantic region, Kansas, Florida, Colorado, Oregon and Canada. More than 15 college alumni groups, including Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Georgetown and Penn, will have teams playing in the tournament. Organizers report waiting lists of teams in virtually every division.

"We are really excited about our 24th tournament and the addition of Samuel Adams to our prestigious group of sponsors, led by Warrior Lacrosse," said George Leveille, the tournament founder and operator. "Looking back to 1990, we could never have envisioned the growth and popularity of the event that we have experienced over the years, and we are truly grateful to the greater Lake Placid community for their tremendous support of our business."

As tournament organizers unveil the 2013 Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament, Warrior Lacrosse returns as the major sponsor, but they have also confirmed a new sponsorship with Samuel Adams as the official beer of the Lake Placid Lacrosse Summit.

The week-long competition has become Lake Placid's second largest event behind only the Ironman triathlon.

Thereafter, adult division action takes over beginning Wednesday afternoon and continues through the weekend. Saturday is the marquee day of the entire week as playoff games will be held in eight divisions, and will feature well-known teams and individuals. A total of 90 games - the most ever to be played in one day - are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10.

Championship Sunday concludes the busy week, with all activity ending by 3 p.m.

Follow the 2013 Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament on its website, www.lakeplacidlax.com, or go to the fields and watch without an admission charge.